Toughest preseason ever 2025

[LimeGreenMachine]

Kaeo Weekes gunning for Raiders fullback 'challenge' after upgraded extension



Exciting youngster Kaeo Weekes has set his sights on filling the key fullback spot full-time for the Raiders in 2025.

"It's a cliche but it's a case of I'm happy anywhere in the team," Weekes said. "But having said that, I do have a preference for the spine and I've been training at fullback in the pre-season and really enjoying it. You get a lot of freedom to run there and there are so many great fullbacks in the NRL so it's a challenge. We'll just wait and see how the trials go and what Ricky wants."

Read more: https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news- ... 5kubs.html

'That's a big goal of mine': Weekes has All Stars in his sights

The Prime Minister's XIII gave him a taste of representative footy. Now, Kaeo Weekes would love to add an NRL All Stars appearance to his resume.

"That's a big goal of mine, represent my culture, and that All Stars game is one everyone wants to play in," Weekes said. "I'd love to play in that space. I'm not really looking that far ahead. I want to get myself right and get the club right. If something happens to pop up again I'll take it with both hands."

Read more: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/ ... all-stars/

GALLERY: Pre-Season Week 4 https://www.raiders.com.au/news/2024/11 ... ry-week-4/

[Kitchen Steve]

I think Weekes has a lot of improvement. His biggest asset is his pace. In terms of defence and ball playing he's average. But you can coach skills but not raw speed

Have a great 2025 Keao

[greeneyed]

Matty Nicholson starts training on Monday.

[LimeGreenMachine]

Weekes is our fullback. With an off season training there we should see an even bigger improvement.
Chevy will need to develop and then be better and take the spot from him.
Love his speed

[greeneyed]

New recruit Savelio Tamale reveals the reasons he joined the Raiders





Two factors convinced Savelio Tamale to come to Canberra.

"I like to challenge myself a lot and I thought the move down here would only benefit me," Tamale said. "Being able to play with the boys that I've played with before, opened up a bit of thought about coming down here.
"To have Rick here and to be under him. I had a meeting with Rick before I signed and he's really keen on developing young players. I want to be part of an environment that is like that."

Read more: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/ ... rl-season/

[greeneyed]

Savelio Tamale says he’s been training at centre, and needs to work on his defence, his relative development need this year.

[LimeGreenMachine]

Interesting, I'd have him pegged for Raps vacant wing spot. I hope we don't go with Hoppa on the wing.

[Raiders_Pat]

Savelio Tamale says he’s been training at centre, and needs to work on his defence, his relative development need this year.

Great news. He should be our left centre.

[Raiders_Pat]

Interesting, I'd have him pegged for Raps vacant wing spot. I hope we don't go with Hoppa on the wing.

I think Hopoate is viewed as a back up now based on last season. It will be Kris or Asomua on that vacant wing.

[Bluesbrother]

There is no doubt our squad is better this year than last. The talent is outstanding. The biggest signing for me is Sanders, we haven't had an elite young half at the club in the last 15 years.

[LimeGreenMachine]

Interesting, I'd have him pegged for Raps vacant wing spot. I hope we don't go with Hoppa on the wing.

I think Hopoate is viewed as a back up now based on last season. It will be Kris or Asomua on that vacant wing.

They are better options than Hoppa , I think Tamale has to be in the backline so if it's Kris moving 1 wider than that's okay.

[Shiv]

I have some concerns. I have been tracking other teams, their players and their comments about preseason. Apparently a lot of them are saying this is the toughest preseason. That this year they are focusing on fitness and training hard.
Question that leap to mind:
1) Are other clubs onto our strategy of having the toughest preseason ever?
2) If this is the toughest preseason, why did we wait so long to get here? Why not do the toughest preseason last year?
3) Do we have a plan B if we are not the only club having the toughest preseason ever?

[BadnMean]

I have some concerns. I have been tracking other teams, their players and their comments about preseason. Apparently a lot of them are saying this is the toughest preseason. That this year they are focusing on fitness and training hard.
Question that leap to mind:
1) Are other clubs onto our strategy of having the toughest preseason ever?
2) If this is the toughest preseason, why did we wait so long to get here? Why not do the toughest preseason last year?
3) Do we have a plan B if we are not the only club having the toughest preseason ever?

Are pre seasons relative to only the club- or gauged NRL wide as to has the toughest pre season?

I think you are onto something. Need to really tune in of if players are saying the are having the toughest pre season ever, which would suggest exclusivity and the existence of a singular toughest preseason, THE toughest pre season ever.

Or if players are talking about having our toughest pre season ever, relative only to your own internal pre seasons?

[BadnMean]

I've got reservations about Kris on the wing. He's had a handful of goes there over the years and generally had a couple of errors and seemed a bit lost in general. Winger is such a specialised position these days, the corner finishes are insane agility, he'll need to be practicing.

I'd back Asomua on the wing instead but Ricky would be wary of too many rookies in there at once I suspect in Tamale was in there too. Asomua started last cup season really strongly before he got injured. He might be ready soon.

I reckon we'll start
1 Weekes
2 Savage
3 Timoko
4 Kris
5 Asomua

With Tamale in cup working on defence. Then you have somewhere to go if Kris doesn't aim up. He has it in him to be a good player, we've all seen it here and there. But he then spends periods where his games are a bit... listless? and the trend is the top drawer centres all give him a bath. If that's his ceiling he might get pushed out later by Tamale.

[-PJ-]

Until Tamale kills it in pre season trial at either centre or winger and demands selection.

It’s a scary time, other than Ole Fog we could be running a very young, strong, fit, fast backline.

Weekes, Asomua, Tamale, Timoko, Savage, Strange and Fogarty.

Then there’s Chevy and Sanders who could have great pre seasons..I’m loving it !!!!

[greeneyed]

Every club’s breakout star in 2025

RAIDERS — Chevy Stewart

Chevy Stewart showed he was what it takes to be an NRL star in 2024. The 19-year-old played three first grade games in 2024, and was tested at time at fullback. Namely, his first half performance against the Broncos was one he’d love to forget. However, after a halftime Ricky Stuart pep talk, and the Raiders coach had nothing but praise for the way he responded in the second 40 minutes. “If Chevy Stewart wasn’t a tough kid he would have crumbled tonight because a lot of kids at 18 years of age, you’ve got to remember that,” Stuart said. “I know at 18 I wasn’t ready to play NRL. At 18 him out there tonight how he handled that second half he showed me that he has a future in the NRL.” What’s more is there’s now a potential path for the teenager to make a home in the No.1 jersey, with Jordan Rapana departing the nation’s capital. Kaeo Weekes will be first choice fullback, but Stewart will be breathing down his neck waiting for an opportunity.

Read more: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-pr ... 6061c86c58

[Billy Walker]

The greenhouse meltdown will be epic when Hoppa is selected

[dubby]

Hoppa may be on the wing, but not fullback.

[Billy Walker]

Hoppa may be on the wing, but not fullback.

I think it would be unlikely that Hoppa would be fullback but not out of the question he will be on the wing.

[greeneyed]

Old Raiders key to Matty Nicholson’s switch

Raiders recruit Matty Nicholson is expected to commence training at Braddon HQ on Monday. He’s presently staying with friend Morgan Smithies as he settles into Canberra. Two former stars, George Williams and John Bateman, helped Nicholson in his decision to join the Green Machine.

“I spoke to those two a lot about it. They were really good over here. All the English lads seem to do really well too. Both enjoyed it. I know it didn’t end well but they both said when they were here, they both loved it,” Nicholson said. “I am living with Morgs. We have known each other since we were little kids. He had nothing but good things to say. That was a big reason I came too.”

Read more: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport ... 9673890c94

[BJ]

Canberra is certainly a great place for an English player to start their NRL career.

You can settle down to life in Australia, in a quiet city, away from distractions, out of site of a media who’d love to tear you down as an English import and you can simply focus on becoming an NRL level footballer.

English players have developed and performed very well in Canberra over the last decade and not a single one of our English players was better or improved after they left us and went to another NRL club.

[BadnMean]

I'm a bit surprised GWilly and JB were so positive on the club- or perhaps they were more speaking about the city. Not entirely clear. Good to hear though.

Then again if your NRL experience is Raiders- Tigers then Raiders probably seem like an oasis of relative normalcy.

[Raiders_Pat]

I've got reservations about Kris on the wing. He's had a handful of goes there over the years and generally had a couple of errors and seemed a bit lost in general. Winger is such a specialised position these days, the corner finishes are insane agility, he'll need to be practicing.

I'd back Asomua on the wing instead but Ricky would be wary of too many rookies in there at once I suspect in Tamale was in there too. Asomua started last cup season really strongly before he got injured. He might be ready soon.

I reckon we'll start
1 Weekes
2 Savage
3 Timoko
4 Kris
5 Asomua

With Tamale in cup working on defence. Then you have somewhere to go if Kris doesn't aim up. He has it in him to be a good player, we've all seen it here and there. But he then spends periods where his games are a bit... listless? and the trend is the top drawer centres all give him a bath. If that's his ceiling he might get pushed out later by Tamale.

The way I see it is he had a full season at centre last year and didn't really do anything to justify holding that spot. And I thought his previous year at fullback was poor, but he declined again in my view despite playing in his favoured position. In a backline like ours where we don't have any stars or game breakers we need guys who can provide a bit more than what Kris is offering imo and that's where a hard running, tackle busting player like Tamale could add some value.

[NoMan]

Tamale is a poor defender at cup level. Just wait before he develops and shows he can defend at NRL level before you lock him in for center. There is no rush.

[Botman]

One of the young blokes has to have that spot because Albert Hopoate is pretty much untennable in FG
I know a few people tried talked themselves into him being OK but we saw last year, he was not.

I actually dont think there is a way for players like Tamale or Asomua to be worse than Hoppa. They're more athletic, and faster so whatever faults they have as contact defenders as rookies, they'll give us no worse play than Hoppa who simply lacks the athleticism to make key defensively plays. It's not like Hoppa is a brick wall contact defender anyways.

And Hoppa is a SHOCKING defensive reader of play, so we'll lose nothing there. I'll back back either Tamale or Asomua to be able to give us the yardage and then some that Hoppa gives us in attack
And the young fellas have upside and development to chase. Something that i think the injuries have robbed Hoppa of at this stage of his career.

[BadnMean]

I've got reservations about Kris on the wing. He's had a handful of goes there over the years and generally had a couple of errors and seemed a bit lost in general. Winger is such a specialised position these days, the corner finishes are insane agility, he'll need to be practicing.

I'd back Asomua on the wing instead but Ricky would be wary of too many rookies in there at once I suspect in Tamale was in there too. Asomua started last cup season really strongly before he got injured. He might be ready soon.

I reckon we'll start
1 Weekes
2 Savage
3 Timoko
4 Kris
5 Asomua

With Tamale in cup working on defence. Then you have somewhere to go if Kris doesn't aim up. He has it in him to be a good player, we've all seen it here and there. But he then spends periods where his games are a bit... listless? and the trend is the top drawer centres all give him a bath. If that's his ceiling he might get pushed out later by Tamale.

The way I see it is he had a full season at centre last year and didn't really do anything to justify holding that spot. And I thought his previous year at fullback was poor, but he declined again in my view despite playing in his favoured position. In a backline like ours where we don't have any stars or game breakers we need guys who can provide a bit more than what Kris is offering imo and that's where a hard running, tackle busting player like Tamale could add some value.

I follow your reasoning and I don't disagree on your Kris assessments- last season he probably used up any credits he got for being positionally mucked around earlier on.

Butwe know enough about Ricky to know he almost always goes defence first and that he's very, very reluctant to put too many rookies in unless his hand is forced (witness Mooney, Savage et all all sitting out longer than the GH liked) and in fact tends to go the other way and cling on to his oldies or incumbents too long...

[greeneyed]

Where this season’s emerging young stars are ahead of 2025

Chevy Stewart

Brought to the club this year as the fullback of the club’s future, Stewart played three games before being sent back to continue his progression in reserve grade. Ricky Stuart is renowned for taking his time with rookies, but Raiders fans should be assured that Stewart will be worth the wait.

Ethan Strange

Strange was one of the best rookies of the past season, showing a toughness in his defence and running game that enamoured him with the fanbase during his 21 games. Once pegged as a five-eighth, Strange may now be looking at a home in the centres.

Michael Asomua

Signed with the Raiders for the next two years, Asomua is one of the club’s highly touted juniors. The winger played 12 games for the Raiders reserve grade team this year.

Read more: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport ... 8b1990b038

[Roger Kenworthy]

One of the young blokes has to have that spot because Albert Hopoate is pretty much untennable in FG
I know a few people tried talked themselves into him being OK but we saw last year, he was not.

I actually dont think there is a way for players like Tamale or Asomua to be worse than Hoppa. They're more athletic, and faster so whatever faults they have as contact defenders as rookies, they'll give us no worse play than Hoppa who simply lacks the athleticism to make key defensively plays. It's not like Hoppa is a brick wall contact defender anyways.

And Hoppa is a SHOCKING defensive reader of play, so we'll lose nothing there. I'll back back either Tamale or Asomua to be able to give us the yardage and then some that Hoppa gives us in attack
And the young fellas have upside and development to chase. Something that i think the injuries have robbed Hoppa of at this stage of his career.

It's up to one of the youngsters to make Hoppa in first grade untenable. That's been the problem the past couple of seasons, Cotric was so poor that by comparison Hoppa looked good.

[Botman]

Completely disagree.
By virtue of merely existing, the youngsters have made Hoppa in first grade untenable.

Firmly in the Danny Levi - Literally anyone would be better zone IMO

[greeneyed]

Canberra’s new English recruit Matty Nicholson not worried about home sickness



Canberra’s newest English recruit Matty Nicholson, 21, says he’s long harboured a desire to play in the NRL and is confident homesickness won’t be an issue given he left home at 16 to chase his rugby league dream.

“I came through the junior ranks at Wigan so when I was 16, I moved out of the family home to Wigan. I have been away from a young age really. It was difficult leaving family, but something I am kind of used to. I’ve grown up watching NRL and I think that’s the pinnacle of rugby league. The competition over here in my opinion is a lot better than Super League. I just wanted to challenge myself really and see how I go.”

Read more: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport ... 9673890c94

[greeneyed]

Looking forward to see how he goes. I think he’s going to be a good ‘un.

[Kitchen Steve]

Completely disagree.
By virtue of merely existing, the youngsters have made Hoppa in first grade untenable.

Firmly in the Danny Levi - Literally anyone would be better zone IMO

Literally and laterally! Hoppa isnt very mobile

[Roger Kenworthy]

Completely disagree.
By virtue of merely existing, the youngsters have made Hoppa in first grade untenable.

Firmly in the Danny Levi - Literally anyone would be better zone IMO

Disagree. Cotric showed there are worse options around.

I am hoping Jed Stuart isn't next wing off the ranks.

[dubby]

Imagine this place if Jed does get a NRL call up...

[Botman]

Completely disagree.
By virtue of merely existing, the youngsters have made Hoppa in first grade untenable.

Firmly in the Danny Levi - Literally anyone would be better zone IMO

Literally and laterally! Hoppa isnt very mobile

100%.
I always like to say this, because its important caveat to his career... not his fault. Genuinely one of the most athletically gifted young footballers you'll ever seen. Injuries robbed him of that. But what is left now is one of the worst defensive wingers in the game and his only + value in attack is in our own red zone early in the tackle count.